Chairperson and hon members, since 1994 we have strived to build capacity and to improve information because these are the requirements facing policy-makers and the implementers of programmes and projects. We were tasked with developing and implementing policy while strengthening our own capacity and developing systems. The combination of these factors thus puts pressure on the pace of service delivery to poor communities.
The House will recall that the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Administration in the Presidency was established in 2009, specifically to focus on the performance of the public sector. All Ministers driving priority programmes, including antipoverty programmes, have committed themselves to clear targets over the five-year term of this government. The responsible Ministers report every quarter to the President and Cabinet on progress made against these targets. From time to time, the Department of: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Administration in the Presidency publishes reports which indicate the degree of progress made. These are significant improvements in our monitoring and evaluation systems.
While the Presidency is the custodian of the government-wide monitoring and evaluation system as a whole, the National Treasury has published the Framework for Managing Programme Performance Information and Statistics SA has published the South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework to provide policy frameworks for programme performance information and social, economic and demographic statistics.
The National Evaluation Policy Framework, which was approved by Cabinet in November 2011, provides the next essential part of the government-wide monitoring and evaluation system, setting out the basis for government-wide evaluation, focusing on our priority areas. It should contribute to the establishment of a culture of continuous improvement in service delivery.
With these initiatives, I am confident that we are on the right path and that the challenges encountered by the Public Service Commission in the course of the audit process will soon be a thing of the past.
Chairperson, arising out of the hon Deputy President's reply, even though the government has adopted a multiphase but fragmented response to deal with the exclusion of the majority of the poor, poverty and inequalities are still endemic and wreaking havoc. Does the Deputy President see the necessity to adopt the use of a standardised system of norms, standards and indicators that can be easily accessed for monitoring and evaluating the inclusivity and impact in a fight against poverty and inequalities? If so, Deputy President, what are the relevant suggestions?
Yes, indeed, it is desirable to have clearly standardised targets as well as measurements, for that is the only possible way to monitor and evaluate whether matters, targets and timelines are properly set and so on. That would enable us to easily manage the collection of data and, as we implement the collected data, would then serve as the basis and tools for even more efficient planning. Monitoring will also assist in situations where there is deviation, problems or slackness, so that these would become detectable as early as possible and could be corrected before it is too late. That is why we have this government-wide monitoring and evaluation system. There is a dedicated Ministry to do that.
In fact, just to share with you, the outcomes that the Cabinet agreed to, we discovered, are now easy to accomplish. The Cabinet has agreed that the department should now up the areas that need to be measured and evaluated because the idea is to attend to and solve problems rather than just tick the boxes. So, now that the routine of accounting in that fashion has been established, it has been felt that it should be extended to cover other areas. That is the only way we will be able to attend to problems that affect poor communities and so on. And that, of course, also includes issues of infrastructure and so on.
Okay, we proceed. Don't wake up after the time, Mr Worth. [Laughter.] Alright, you are now awake. I can give you time to ask your question. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, through you to the hon Deputy President, yesterday in the same House I read out a notice of motion with regard to the latest Public Service Commission report. They reported high levels of corruption among local municipalities and certain government departments. If I recall correctly - I haven't got it here - they also stated something like a 360% increase over the figure from 2010. Surely this must affect service delivery and poverty reduction projects, as this money has been corruptly taken. But the report also stated that very little effective action had been taken to hold these people to account. What is your opinion on that, hon Deputy President?
It is a well-crafted question put indirectly, so it's okay.
Well, any evidence of the diversion of funds from the purpose for which public funds ought to be utilised is worrying and it is something that we should be able to nip in the bud. When the Public Service Commission report reveals such matters, that very report ought to be the basis for the corrective measures to be taken. We've got to go out and find out which gaps were used to siphon off and divert resources, ensure that there is no repeat and, where possible, recover those resources. That is why the Asset Forfeiture Unit and Special Investigating Unit exist. Only when people know that they can't get away with it will the temptation be eliminated. [Applause.]
Functioning and capacity of SA National Aids Council, Sanac
4. Mr M J R de Villiers (DA) asked the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the board of the SA National Aids Council, Sanac, meets on a regular basis; if not, why not; if so, (a) how often in each year and (b) what is the attendance record for each meeting;
(2) whether any similar structures exist in each province; if not, why not; if so, who (a) is responsible to lead these structures and (b) monitors the performance of these structures;
(3) whether the capacity of Sanac is satisfactory; if not, what action will be taken in this regard; if so, what have been the unique outcomes of Sanac? CO109E
Thank you, hon De Villiers. I have noticed that in the first part of your question reference is made to both the board and the council. I assume that you are specifically referring to the work of the council, which is a multistakeholder advisory platform where decisions are made and implementation monitored. Therefore, I will confine my reply to the SA National Aids Council, Sanac, which I chair.
Sanac holds up to four meetings annually. Meetings are held in the provinces to enable the council to engage with the provincial Aids councils and to consider, among other things, provincial reports on the implementation of HIV and TB-related programmes, as defined in the National Strategic Plan for HIV and Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Sanac is made up of government and 19 civil society sectors. Each sector sends three representatives to attend council meetings. Attendance at each meeting is well over 95% and each meeting allows for engagement with the community, through a community dialogue or a visit to a health facility. This approach allows the national council to experience policy in action and to support and acknowledge health workers at the coalface of service delivery.
All nine provinces have an established provincial council on Aids and premiers lead these provincial structures. In some cases, an MEC has been delegated the responsibility to perform this function by the respective premier. The provincial Aids council monitors their performance against agreed targets, while the national structure executes an overarching monitoring function in accordance with its mandate as approved by Cabinet.
Sanac has full representation from the stakeholders described above. The council is supported by a secretariat, which is being strengthened through the appointment of skilled persons, such as the chief financial officer and the chief executive officer.
In the past years, Sanac has achieved a number of significant milestones, notably the launch and successful execution of the world's largest HIV counselling and testing campaign, with over 15 million people tested for HIV and a significant number screened for TB. The council also developed and launched the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and Sexually Transmitted Infections from 2012 to 2016, through an extensive consultative process.
On 24 March 2012, which is World TB Day, the national implementation plan for the national strategic plan 2012-16 will be launched. We expect all stakeholders, communities and Members of Parliament to rally behind this important initiative, so that we can meet our target of reducing new infections by half.
My follow-up question to the Deputy President is in connection with the structures in the provinces. Are you, as the chairperson, satisfied with the work done by and the responsibilities of those structures in the different provinces? If not, which provinces?
Hon De Villiers, yes, indeed, we are satisfied with the provincial Aids councils. We had difficulties in one province, the Free State, in the past and we took the plenary meeting to the Free State. All stakeholders were present and the problem was resolved. The problem had arisen because the premier had delegated someone who was not half as active as he ought to have been and civil society stakeholders felt left out of programmes. That was corrected. For now, all the provinces seem to be working very well.
Role of SA National Aids Council in joint venture between Pelchem Pty Ltd and Lonza Group Ltd
5. Mr W F Faber (DA) asked the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the SA National Aids Council, Sanac, is in any way involved in the joint venture between certain companies (names furnished) to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients for antiretrovirals in South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) to what extent is Sanac involved in this project and (b) in which province will this project take place;
(2) with regard to the fact that the government will have a 50% stake in this project, to what extent will the (a) provincial government and (b) local municipalities benefit from the province in which this project will take place? CO110E
Chairperson and hon members, as you would no doubt be aware, Sanac has launched the national strategic plan 2012-16. Among other things, the strategic plan seeks to extend provision of treatment so that we can arrest mortality rates and offer our people an opportunity to live longer and more productive lives.
Sanac has yet to receive a full briefing about project Ke Tla Phela, which means "I will survive" in Sesotho. It is a joint venture between the state- owned Pelchem Pty Ltd and Lonza Group Ltd, a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Sanac will not get involved in the project, since its mandate is confined to policy advice and oversight.
Ke Tla Phela is a welcome development because it supports our key national strategic plan objective, which is to provide affordable treatment. Overall, this project will benefit the entire country because of the availability of antiretrovirals at low prices. Financial benefits of hosting 2010 Fifa World Cup soccer tournament and details relating to Fifa legacy projects
6. Mrs B L Abrahams (DA) asked the Deputy President:
(a) To what extent did South Africa benefit financially from hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup soccer tournament, (b) what is the total amount of money that Fifa gave back to South Africa for development projects, (c) what are the details of these projects that are funded from this money which are currently in operation, (d) which communities are currently benefiting from these projects and (e) how were these communities identified? CO112E
Chairperson, hon members, according to the National Treasury, the estimated impact of the 2010 Fdration Internationale de Football Association, Fifa, World Cup was in the region of R10,5 billion, which amounts to 0,38% of gross domestic product, GDP. The overall impact on the real GDP level over the period from 2007 to 2013 was estimated to be 0,25%.
More than 309 000 tourists arrived in South Africa for the primary purpose of attending the 2010 Fifa World Cup. A survey conducted by the national Department of Tourism and SA Tourism shows that tourists were extremely satisfied with their experience in the country and that they would highly recommend the destination to friends and family. The benefits of the World Cup will thus be enjoyed for many years to come.
Fifa made a total of US$100 million available to the SA Football Association, Safa, as a legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. I am informed that in the region of US$30 million has been used by Safa for infrastructure, buses and World Cup preparations. The remaining US$70 million will be placed in the 2010 Fifa World Cup Legacy Trust.
This trust consists of eight members, including one representative of government from the Department of Sport and Recreation. The trust will be used for the following purposes: football development, which includes development programmes for coaches, administrators, referees and technical officials; the setting up of football academies, facilities and equipment; education, which will include educational, life skills and leadership programmes through football for youth and communities; bursaries for football players, coaches, referees and administrators; health promotion, which will include healthy lifestyle programmes through football for youth and communities; the training of specialist medical personnel for football teams; research and development on football-related health matters; and humanitarian causes, which will include the consideration to fund football communities struck by tragedy or disaster. I'm informed that to date Fifa has transferred R280 million to the Legacy Trust and that the trust will become operational in April 2012. The main beneficiaries of the fund, according to the policy of the trust, will be Safa's structures at national, provincial, regional and local levels. In addition, associate members, like tertiary institutions, schools and football for persons with disabilities, as well as organised supporter groups, will also be eligible for funding. However, all these institutions must be registered as public benefit organisations. Apparently, funding will be allocated on an application basis. All project proposals will be considered against set criteria and the board of the trust will make the final decisions on which projects are funded. More details can be obtained from the Minister of Sport and Recreation.
Chairperson, hon Deputy President, you haven't mentioned the stadiums. I would like to know who manages these stadiums, because while we were in the process of getting the stadiums ready, it was said that some of the communities - for instance, in the province I am from, Orlando Stadium - people like the SA Soccer Legends, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates would actually be managing parts of these projects as community development projects. I would also like to know if the SA Soccer Legends - the guys who should actually be driving it - are part and parcel of this because mention was made of these projects and programmes going into schools, especially as holiday programmes. But 2010 has come and gone, and we haven't seen anything so far. I heard you say they would be available in April 2012.
Regarding hospitality, so many of our communities went out there and really got into tourism and everything - yes, this relates to 2010 - and they haven't benefited. How do we actually come around and help communities that pumped in a lot of money because they were told the World Cup needed more accommodation and all that. They are still out there, greatly in debt. How do we assist them?
Regarding the community projects, I'm happy to hear that people with disabilities will be benefiting. What sorts of projects are in the pipeline for them?
You have asked many follow-up questions at once.
Some of your questions are very specific, so I will not have answers for them. But let me start off with the role of the SA Soccer Legends, as well as that of soccer teams such as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, as you said, in managing the stadiums. My information in this regard is that a company was established for managing these stadiums and it doesn't include or involve the SA Soccer Legends or the soccer teams you mentioned. It's a private company. I'm not sure of the exact relationship between this company and the local authorities, as well as with Safa. I do know that even at the headquarters of Safa, this is a matter that still needs to be resolved because Soccer City was constructed on land belonging to the Johannesburg Metro. The exact ownership is still being contested between the Johannesburg Metro, Safa and FNB, which originally constructed Soccer City.
The SA Soccer Legends, as I understand, consists of former professional footballers who have been organised into a body that now conducts soccer clinics in schools. I'm aware that in some Soweto schools, a soccer legend has been attached to each school. A similar programme is running in townships outside Pretoria.
In my view, the costs incurred by private citizens in anticipation of opportunities during the Fifa World Cup can only be offset through tourism - if we get tourists to go to those areas. Actually, I know that the Department of Tourism as well as SA Tourism are more than keen to make the data available and to advertise such venues to tourists so that they will use such facilities whenever they are in those areas, cities or townships.
Chairperson, I would like to ask the Deputy President if, as a former professional soccer player and a legend in his own right, he is contemplating joining the league of legends and participating in the legends committee in future. [Laughter.]
Well, I'm sure hon Montsitsi is exaggerating. I was playing football in prison. I'm sure you will understand that the prison population is very small. So, we weren't professionals, as it were.
Yes, I do interact with the SA Soccer Legends on an ongoing basis. They keep me posted on the progress they are making. Whenever they experience challenges, they share those with me. I've assisted in pulling them together in the past because some of them are people who have no income stream whatsoever. So, I was able to assist them in pulling together some of their meetings. So, I do stay in touch with them but I'm not a member. I'm just a supporter of the legends.
Thank you, that was my question. I wanted to ask the Deputy President if he had resigned because I could fill his space. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, hon Deputy President, now that we have a sort of bird's eye view of the benefits of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the financial benefits, would you agree that in the final instance the nontangible benefits, like nation-building and exposure for South Africa in the broader world, outweighed the financial benefits for the South African society and economy?
Yes, indeed, hon Sinclair, I do agree that the benefits of the privilege of hosting this Fifa World Cup - nonmonetary benefits, such as creating or enhancing national cohesion and infusing a sense of pride in all of us as South Africans - far outweigh the financial benefits.
As Cabinet, we also learned a lesson from how the Local Organising Committee was able to cut through bureaucratic obstacles in the three spheres of government - national, provincial and local - in order to deliver on megaprojects within set timelines. It is that lesson that we are determined to employ and apply in the infrastructure programme.
See also QUESTIONS AND REPLIES.